The National tribune., 1887-06-23

The President, Having " Pat His Foot In It." Tries
10 Pail Il Out.

The President, Having Pat His Foot In It." Tries
10 Pail Il Out.
On Thursday The following letter was sent to
the Secretary OF War by the President in
regard 10 the disposal Of the flags captured by
the Onion forces during the late war;
] have to-day considered with more care than
when the subject was orally presented me, the
action Oi your Department directing letters 10 he
addressed 20 e Governors of all the States ofler-
lng Ia return. if desired 10 the loyal States the
lmon fags cgpuIed during the war OF the rebel
Hon 10y toe Confederate forces, and afterward re-
covered hy Government troops and To the Con.
federate Siates the flags captured by the Union
iOrccs, ali ui which Tor many years have been
packed in ho.c- aud stored la the cellars and attic
-, The War Department. j am OF the opinion thai
the return 81 t1s hags in the manner thus contem,
plated BE- noi authorized by existing law, nor justi
he'd ar An Executive act. request, therefore thai
no further slcit BE- taken ln the matter EXCEPT Il
examine aha inventory these flags. and adopt
proper measures Tor their preservation. ANY III.
Tcciion az g. tir final disposition of them should
originate with congress.
Aoun truly, GROVER CLEVELAND.
The promulgation Of this letter caused a sub
sidence OF the tumnlt, though there is nc
abatement ol the feeling against the Admins
tration for having committed itself TO such !
monstrous proposition.
TllE OBNOXIOUS ORDER
consisted Of Tie following letter from Adiutant
General Drum aud its Endorsement By Secre.
tary Endicott
NAE DLrAEgNEST hDJUTANT GEEERAL's D
bIffcE, MAsHlNGToA, April 80 1855. !
Hon. WILLIAa G. ENDIcoTq, Secretary Of War.
AIh: have he honor 10 state that there are nov
81 this Office stored n one Of the attic rooms of ia.
building uambcr Of Union fags captured in ac
uon. bat recovered on the fall OF tic Coincidence
hho iof"hfne. % tlie War Department for safe
Keeping, together with number of ConiedcrHi,
nags, which lts fortunes VI war placed iu hand
during thc late civil war.
Mhle, in iIc pas; favorable action has alway,
a
f0r tie return of Union lHgs 10 organizations rep
re-cntng tufFlEOfs of tie military regiments Il
tlie SERVICE ~ the Government. beg 10 submit
tiat u would he graceful act TO anticipate iulur,
requests oi llfis naiure and venture TO suggest ih,
liopueiH 81 returning all the flags Union an,
Confederate % the authorities Of the respectiv,
States iu which the regiments which bore thesi
coiors were orgHuzed, Tor such lnal disposition a
they may defrruIlue.
While 10 $50 81 lie civilized nations of The 81,
world trophea taken IN wars against foreign enc
lilcs have been carefully preserved aud cshibtet
a. proud memcnlues Of the nations military clio
iies, ~l-e "hf obvious reasons have always cx
ceted from iIe rule evidences of past internccin
troublos wipA. by appeals 10 the arbitration of Ia
hword, have disturbed the peaceful march OF
people a. a. destiny.
Over 70 yeafs have elapsed since the Termination
oi the lale oifi war. Many OF tle prominent lead
crHt 1Nll hhd military, Of the late ConfedcrAt
Satea who arc snow houoTed representatives Of IA
people ln tle National Councils OF ia other emineu
losinons ieua iilo AID oi their talents the wis
administrator - tile affairs of the whole country
and uie people oi The several States composing ii,
Union are low united, ireadng the broader road
10 glorious iliurc. Impressed with these facts
have tlie honor 40 submit The suggcstion made !
this letter Tor the careful consideration ii will rc
ccive al your Asuds
Very truly, yours, Il. G. DRUM
Adiutant General
The indorsement Of the Secretary Of Wa
upon this letter is as follows:
WAX DEPARTMENT, Nav 2G 1857
The within recommendation is approved bV "A,
Ifesldent, ahd the AaJutani- General will prepaT
Letters 60 Governors of those States whose troor
carried the colOrH nnd hags now in this Department
with the offer 10 return them Rs herein PROPOSE